100+ devices ready for WIA under Windows Me

WIA
(Windows Image Acquisition) is an API developed by Microsoft and first
implemented in Windows Me. It allows seemless communication between image
acquisition applications and digital imaging devices (such as digital
still cameras, scanners and DV camcorders). Similar to TWAIN but without
the hassle of particular drivers, best of all there's a TWAIN DSM which
enables any WIA device to appear as a TWAIN device to TWAIN compatible
software. WIA as it will ship in Windows ME already supports over 100
devices.

WIA, which will also be supported in future versions of Windows, provides
the Windows platform with a robust and extensive imaging infrastructure.
It simplifies the use of today's imaging devices, including digital cameras
and scanners.

"Microsoft is thrilled to team with leading manufacturers in the
imaging industry to deliver the cool benefits of digital media to users
of Windows-based PCs in the home,'' said John Frederiksen, general manager
of the PC Experience Group at Microsoft. "As a result of the technology
and this collaborative industry effort, users don't have to be experts
in digital media to create and share high-quality images on their Windows
Me-based PC.''

Plug and Play capability. When WIA-compliant devices are plugged
in, they are automatically recognized.
Organization. Images are automatically stored in one easy-to-remember
folder called My Pictures.
Space-saving capability. With thumbnail preview, users don't have to
download an entire batch of photos, but can pick and choose which ones
to save on their hard drive.

Microsoft worked with leading hardware-imaging manufacturers to develop
the WIA architecture and implement the technology into hardware and software
products that seamlessly integrate with Windows Me.

"Customers are asking for an easier way to capture, create and store
digital images,'' said Sam Szteinbaum, business manager for Hewlett Packard's
North American Consumer Computing Organization. "Hewlett Packard
is pleased to offer a range of products that will benefit from the WIA
architecture, allowing Windows Me customers to more easily create and
share their digital pictures.''

"WIA is a fantastic technology that enables the automatic recognition
of scanners and digital cameras to help consumers use their new products
right away,'' said Tenny Sin, executive vice president of UMAX Technologies
Inc. "UMAX will offer WIA-compliant devices that take full advantage
of this technology to help consumers get the most enjoyable digital media
experience from Windows Me.''